THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEEK OF MAY 4, 2008
Legislators Face-Off On Lawmakers Raise
By TOM ROBB
Journal Reporter
Area state legislators are railing against a plan to raise lawmakers' pay.
State Sen. Susan Garrett (D-29th) has filed a bill opposing a scheduled pay hike for the governor and state legislators.
State Sen. Dan Kotowski (D-33rd) of Park Ridge chimed in, saying, "I plan to co-sponsor any resolution that will block this pay raise."
State Rep. Elizabeth Coulson (R-17th) said she co-sponsored a bill in the State House opposing the pay increases.
"I need a pay raise, I need a pay raise," State Senate President Emil Jones told reporters last week.
The pay hike would see state legislators' annual base pay skyrocket from $72,000 to over $100,000.
"I strongly believe every legislator should be of the mindset to completely reject another salary increase as the state faces hard economic times," said Garrett, who represents portions of Des Plaines, Mt. Prospect and Glenview. "This state can't pay its own bills and there are thousands of people out of work. And those who are employed are not being offered raises. I don't believe there is any justification for a pay increase for state legislators."
"When there is a budget crisis, I've always opposed a pay raise," added Coulson.
A system is in place that will impose the raises through the Illinois Compensation Board unless legislators pass a bill to stop it by the end of May. Garrett filed that bill in the State Senate on Friday, May 2.
State Rep. Elaine Nekritz (D-57th) said she would support a bill opposing the pay raises.
"Illinois is currently facing overwhelming deficits and we have a looming budget deadline," said Kotowski. "Let's focus on getting support for education, health care and property tax relief."
State elected officials received a raise last year that Garrett, Kotowski and Nekritz also opposed.
Garrett donated an amount equal to that raise to the North Shore Special Education Dist. She said times are too hard for voters to accept the raise.
"It breaks my heart that we're talking about a pay raise when food pantries can't keep their shelves full," said Garrett. Her bill is currently only one of two in the senate opposing pay raises.
Jones spokeswoman Cindy Davidsmeyer said the senate president had "always supported the recommendations of the compensation board." When asked why he supports the raise given the state's difficult financial situation she said Jones had no comment.
Davismeyer said, "Senator Jones and Senator Garrett have always differed on this issue."